Europe and the United States have no choice but to refer Iran with its nuclear ambitions to the U.N. Security Council for violating the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Not that it’s likely to help. Iran says it does not fear sanctions, and it has more than enough oil to prove the point. But the sanctions give form to the diplomatic efforts that so far have failed to deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear program.

Iran broke the U.N. seals on its nuclear enrichment plant last Tuesday, and the country’s belligerent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed to go forward with the country’s uranium conversion and enrichment program. Enriched uranium can produce fuel for both nuclear energy and weapons. “The Iranian nation will continue its way decisively and wisely to obtain and use nuclear technology for civilian ends and has no fear at all of the fuss created by the big powers,” Ahmadinejad said.

No one really believes that Iran’s program is, as advertised, for peaceful, energy production. The fear is that the country intends to build nuclear weapons. After all, Iran’s president has said, among other things, that Israel must be wiped off the map and, that, “God willing, we will soon experience a world without the United States.”

Such idiotic rants together with concerns that Iran is building long-range missiles capable of reaching Israel are understandably causing regional and global jitters.

Experts say only minor technical barriers stand in the way of Iran’s enrichment program, barriers that can be overcome in a matter of months.

The problem with reporting Iran to the Security Council is that Russia and China have opposed taking that step and could use their veto power to block any action. Russia has weapons contracts with Iran, and China depends upon Iran for oil supplies. Still, Iran with nuclear capabilities is a dangerous and destabilizing prospect, and Russia and China might yet be convinced to pressure Iran or allow serious sanctions. Russia has made an offer for Iran to move its uranium development to Russia where it can be monitored. This week, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow shares “a deep disappointment over Tehran’s decision to leave behind the moratorium on all activities tied with uranium enrichment.” And China called for more talks, a hopeful sign.

Europe has hinted that if U.N. sanctions are blocked, it might impose their own and urge others to join them. For now, anything short of military action should be employed to try to reverse Iran’s dangerous course.

There is no rhyme or reason, and nothing that could pass for a justifiable goal or an ounce of sense, in the infliction of misery on the 800,000 federal employees either on furlough or working without pay.